Key Stage 1 - Reception

Wk 5 & 6

Week 6 - 13/2/17

Phonics – Phase 3 sounds (ai/ee/oa) and using these sounds to make words and write short sentences. We have also been practising our phase 3 tricky words - these are words where the letter makes a different sound to the one we have already learnt.

Maths– This week we have been learning about money. We have been playing shops and practising how to pay for items using 1p coins. At the end of the week, we learnt how to count small amounts using 2p coins (we tap the coin twice as we count, so that we know we are adding two each time). Money can be a tricky concept to understand. Allow your child to frequently sort small change and count out set amounts (under 20p), ideally stick to 1p/2p coins.

Understanding of the World/CLL – We have continued our learning about Doctors, Paramedics and Nurses and have been learning about Florence Nightingale.

Please see our Forest School page to find out what we have been learning this week.

PD – Wednesday’s lesson looked at hockey skills, how to hold the hockey stick and move a ball. On Friday we began learning about ‘Dance’ with Ignite. Wednesday sessions are outside (please ensure your child has warm trousers and fleece/jumper. We will also add coats and gloves if it is cold – we prefer the children to be warm and enjoy their sessions!) Friday lessons will continue indoors and will be taught by ‘Ignite’. During Fine Motor Skills we have been practising our cutting skills. Children have been cutting simple lines and shapes, learning to turn the paper as they cut and not the scissors - apologies as book bags maybe rather full of snips of paper! Each week we continue to practise forming a group of letters – one-armed robot letters.

Expressive Art and Design– We have been finding out about St Valentine - a man who lived long ago and made our own valentine card to give to a special person at home.

Week 5 - 5/2/17

PHSE – Following on from last week’s learning, we have been deciding if we have achieved our goal.

Phonics – Phase 3 sounds (ch/sh/th) and using these sounds to make words and write short sentences. We have also been practising our phase 3 tricky words - these are words where the letter makes a different sound to the one we have already learnt.

Maths– This week we have been learning about 2D shape (learning names, and properties of the shapes - how many sides and corners the shape has). We have also been learning about 3D shapes and the different names the shape has.

Understanding of the World/CLL – We have been learning about Doctors, Paramedics and Nurses. We have also continued to learn about materials (thinking about the most suitable material for certain job: glass for windows because it lets light through, fabric for clothing because it is soft, comfortable and warm etc.) We enjoyed working with year 1 & 2 in out team groups to make houses from different materials.

Please see latest news for our adventures on Thursday planting a future forest.

PD – Wednesday’s lesson looked at hockey skills, how to hold the hockey stick and move a ball. On Friday we began learning about ‘Dance’ with Ignite. Wednesday sessions are outside (please ensure your child has warm trousers and fleece/jumper. We will also add coats and gloves if it is cold – we prefer the children to be warm and enjoy their sessions!) Friday lessons will continue indoors and will be taught by ‘Ignite’. During Fine Motor Skills we have been practising our cutting skills. Children have been cutting simple lines and shapes, learning to turn the paper as they cut and not the scissors - apologies as book bags maybe rather full of snips of paper! Each week we continue to practise forming a group of letters – curly caterpillars.

Expressive Art and Design – We used our fantastic skills to make a thank you card to the Sylva Tree Team.

Week 4 - 23/1/17

PHSE – Following on from last week’s learning, we have been deciding how we are going to achieve our goal we set last week.

Phonics – Phase 3 sounds (zz/qu) and using these sounds to make words and write short sentences.

Maths – This week we have been learning about position (under, over, below, forwards backwards etc.) and we have also been learning how to estimate. Estimating is a really hard skill to master and involves making realistic guesses.

Understanding of the World/CLL – This week we have been learning about Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is on Saturday (28/1/17), and changes from the year of the Monkey to a Rooster. The children have been learning about the 1 different animals, how people celebrate and enjoying our own celebrations!

We have also continued to learn about materials (thinking about the properties of certain materials, bendy, soft, smooth etc.).

Please see our Forest School page for our learning this week.

PD – Wednesday’s lesson looked at hockey skills, how to hold the hockey stick and move a ball. On Friday we began learning about ‘Dance’ with Ignite. Wednesday sessions are outside (please ensure your child has warm trousers and fleece/jumper. We will also add coats and gloves if it is cold – we prefer the children to be warm and enjoy their sessions!) Friday lessons will continue indoors and will be taught by ‘Ignite’. During Fine Motor Skills we have been practising our cutting skills. Children have been cutting simple lines and shapes, learning to turn the paper as they cut and not the scissors - apologies as book bags maybe rather full of snips of paper! Each week we continue to practise forming a group of letters – long ladders.

Expressive Art and Design – We have made Chinese dragons, practised Chinese writing and retold the story of Chinese New Year.

Week 4

Week 3 - 16/1/17

PHSE – Following on from last week’s learning, we have been setting goals – something we want to get better at (next week we will consider how we are going to do this). Children usually enjoy circle time and through games and support they learn to trust each other and understand we all have different needs.

Phonics – Phase 3 sounds (x/y/z/zz) and using these sounds to make words and write short sentences.

Maths – This week we have been focusing on ‘measure’ by learning and comparing items. We have learning the language used with size (shortest/tallest, smallest/biggest, big/bigger/biggest, small/smaller/smallest) to select and order equipment found within the classroom. We begin each session with number chants/number formation.

Understanding of the World/CLL – This week we have been thinking about ‘People Who Help Me!’ The children have all come up with a fantastic list and drawn and labelled beautiful pictures. We have also been learning about materials (wood, metal, plastic, glass, paper, fabric) and learning what different items are made from.

Please see our Forest School page for our learning this week.

PD – Wednesday’s lesson looked at hockey skills, how to hold the hockey stick and move a ball. On Friday we began learning about ‘Dance’ with Ignite. Wednesday sessions are outside (please ensure your child has warm trousers and fleece/jumper. We will also add coats and gloves if it is cold – we prefer the children to be warm and enjoy their sessions!) Friday lessons will continue indoors and will be taught by ‘Ignite’. During Fine Motor Skills we have been practising our cutting skills. Children have been cutting simple lines and shapes, learning to turn the paper as they cut and not the scissors - apologies as book bags maybe rather full of snips of paper! Each week we continue to practise forming a group of letters – zig-zag monsters.

Expressive Art and Design – We have drawn and painted pictures of people who help us at home and/or school. We also had a special assembly on Tuesday where we watched, listened and joined in with two musicians (please see latest news for more details).

Week 2 & 3

Week 2 - 9/1/17

PHSE – During Circle Time this week we have been thinking about all the things we are good at. We begin each session with simple games followed by our main focus. Children are supported to listen to each other and encouraged to value all our views and opinions even if it different to what an individual may think. We finish each lesson with game.

Phonics – Our learning this week began with Phase 3 sounds (j/v/w) and using these sounds to make words. We will also begin to learn our phase 3 tricky words.

Maths – This week we have been focusing on ‘time’ by learning the days of the week, months of the year and the seasons. We learn the time is never ending and continues round in a circle. We have also been looking at pictures and sequencing events and ended the week with learning to tell the time to o’clock.

Understanding of the World/CLL – With the promise of a tiny dusting of snow (maybe) at the end of the week, we were all very excited with our topic this week! We learnt about the seasons and the events that can take place at this time of the year, we made a snow themed world outside in the tuff tray and learnt about the activities of some animals during the cold season and how they keep warm. We have also been learning how to keep warm and the best clothing to wear.

PD – Wednesday’s lesson looked at hockey skills, how to hold the hockey stick and move a ball. On Friday we began learning about ‘Dance’ with Ignite. Wednesday sessions are outside (please ensure your child has warm trousers and fleece/jumper. We will also add coats and gloves if it is cold – we prefer the children to be warm and enjoy their sessions!) Friday lessons will continue indoors and will be taught by ‘Ignite’. During Fine Motor Skills we have been practising our cutting skills. Children have been cutting simple lines and shapes, learning to turn the paper as they cut and not the scissors - apologies as book bags maybe rather full of snips of paper!

Expressive Art and Design – Please have a look at our fantastic art work. We have made snowmen, snowflakes and winter trees to help us consolidate our learning.

Welcome back to term 3, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas break and haven’t eaten too many chocolates ;-)

We have lots planned for this term (please see planning link below) and our timetable has been updated. We have lots of one off topics planned where we look at a theme for a week before moving to the next (Christmas and New Year, Winter, People Who Help Me!, Chinese New Year and ending term 3 with People Who Help Us – which will continue into term 4).

We will begin the term recounting our holiday news, thinking about our past term and setting our goals for next term. During Maths we will focus on counting, counting groups and number formation. Phase 3 Phonics will begin next week, this week we will recap our phase 2 sounds. During PE this term, Wednesday sessions will be dedicated to hockey skills and Friday sessions will be a combination of Dance and Gymnastics.

Brief Overview of Term 3 Planning

Timetable Term 3

Our final two weeks of term have been very jam packed! We enjoyed our annual trip to the pantomime to watch Cinderella on Monday 4th. We enjoyed our bus ride, an entertaining performance, followed by a packed lunch back at school. On Wednesday we took part in our dress rehearsal for our annual Nativity performance which was enjoyed by KS2, family and friends of Clifton Hampden School. Our performance went well on Thursday night and it was fantastic to hear such wonderful singing and see budding acting! Please see latest news for pictures of this event.

We have enjoyed card making, Christmas cooking and a visit to church to decorate the Christmas tree (again see latest news for pictures). On Thursday we look forward to our Christmas party and hopefully a visit from Santa – if he thinks we have been good! We finish the week with an assembly in Church (Friday at 9.15am – please attend if you can) and school will close at 2pm on Friday.

Week 5

This week we have been busy getting in the Christmas spirit. During Maths we have been revising our 2D shape knowledge and made presents for our Christmas tree display. We also made repeating pattern paper chains. During Literacy and Understanding of the World we have been learning about the first Christmas. We have been practising our singing for our performance next Thursday (6pm start) and enjoyed exploring the tuff tray which had frozen over due to the cold temperature.

Week 5

Week 4

Today (23/11/16) we enjoyed a tennis taster session. Tom (from Abingdon White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre) showed us how to catch a tennis ball using cones, squash a tennis ball tomato and how to hit the tennis ball over the net. We had lots of fun and Tom thought we all worked really hard and listened very carefully.

Tennis Taster - 23/11/16

Today (26/11/16) we enjoyed Take Over Day (please click on Latest News for more information and pictures). Libby took the place of Mrs Field leading Reception’s learning for the morning and Henry and Austin took our PE session this afternoon. We learnt about 2D shapes in the morning and investigated the bug hotel. During the afternoon Henry and Austin lead a fantastic PE session.

Take Over Day - 25/11/16

Week 3:

PHSE:This week is Anti-Bullying week and we having been learning about choices. Through a short story children are encouraged to think about good choices and bad choices and the consequences which accompany good and bad choices.

Phonics:We have been working with the sounds d/g/o/c and using these to segment and blend words and read captions and short sentences. We have also been learning to read the tricky words I/the/to/no/go/into. With tricky words at least one sound in the words makes a different sound to the sound we have learnt in phonics.

Maths:Each maths lesson begins with counting patterns, songs or rhymes, counting forwards and backwards within a range. Our main focus this week has been 1 less than a given quantity. We have been learning to count out an amount and take 1 away, than recount to find the total.

Understanding of the World/CLL:This week we have planted broad beans and artic lettuce seeds. We found out what plants need to grow and hopefully during the spring we will see evidence of our greenfingers!

PD:This week we have been sending and receiving a ball with our feet and our hands. During Fine Motor Skills we have been balancing marbles on golf tees – very tricky!

Expressive Art:We made a split pin Pudsey Bear. We needed to decorate, cut out and assemble our bear.

Week 3

Week 2:

PHSE:This week we having been learning about good and bad behaviour and the some of the consequences which accompany the different types of behaviour.

Phonics:We have been working with the sounds i/n/m and using these to segment and blend words. We have also been learning to read the tricky words I/the. With tricky words at least one sound in the words makes a different sound to the sound we have learnt in phonics.

Maths:Each maths lesson begins with counting patterns, songs or rhymes, counting forwards and backwards within a range. Our main focus this week has been 1 more than a given quantity. We have been learning to count out an amount and add 1 more, than recount to find the total.

Understanding of the World/CLL:This week we have been learning about The Gunpowder Plot. We listened to the story of Guy Fawkes and sequenced pictures to re-tell the key events which took place. We used the computers to make firework pictures using a program called 2paint.

We also found out why we wear poppies and watched a short animation video on Cbeebies to support our understanding.

PD:This week we have been sending and receiving a ball with our feet and our hands. During Fine Motor Skills we made poppies which we will wear on Friday.

Expressive Art:We have made poppies to wear on Friday and used the computers and oil pastels to make firework pictures.

Week 2

Week 1:

PHSE:This week we were visited by our local PCSOs. Today they shared a story with us about keeping ourselves safe when we are out and what we should do if we are lost in a shop (stand still and ask a shop assistant for help).

Phonics:We have been working with the sounds s/a/t/p and using these to segment and blend words.

Maths:Each maths lesson begins with counting patterns, songs or rhymes, counting forwards and backwards within a range. Our main focus this week has been altogether. We have been learning to count two groups of items to gain a total.

Understanding of the World/CLL:This week we have been learning about Diwali. We listened to the story of Rama and Sita.

PD:This term we will be focussing on ball skills on a Wednesday and Gymnastics on a Friday. Wednesday sessions will remain outside – please ensure your child has tracksuit bottoms for these sessions. Friday sessions will take place in the village hall. During Fine Motor Skill sessions we have been using the playdough to mould, squeeze and roll to make various shapes.

Week 1

Welcome back to an exciting term. I hope you all had a wonderful break and are well rested to enjoy all that we have planned in the coming weeks. This term we will be learning about 'Celebrations and Festivals' - finding out about Diwali, The Gunpowder Plot and of course Christmas.

Our new timetable is attached below this text, it has changed a little, but we will always be guided by the children and their needs.

Parent/Teacher appointments (PTC) will be held during week 2 (Monday and Wednesday after school), please see Mrs Robey if you wish to book an appointment.

Timetable - Term 2

Our final week of our first term! Much of our learning has been based around Harvest Festival. Have a look at our pictures below to see what else we have been doing! Please have a look at ‘Latest New’ to see photographs from Thursday.

Week 7

Church Visit

Today (7/10/16) Tash came to talk to us about dance - she showed us her ballet uniform and shoes. She has soft and hard shoes for ballet and sometimes she learns dances from different countries. Tash showed us some of the steps she has to do and we were able to copy some of these.

Ballet Lesson - 7/10/16

We couldn't learn about The Little Red Hen without making bread! We stirred, measured, kneaded and shaped our bread to make rolls. After cooking in the oven we were able to eat our rolls - yummy!

Week 5 - Making Bread (Little Red Hen)

Week 5:

PHSE:This week we have been thinking about kind/unkind and how we can help our friends and family by being helpful. We have also been practising how to tell our friends we don’t like something by saying ‘No thank you, I don’t like that.’

Phonics:We have continued our learning with words which rhyme. The children enjoyed playing games sharing stories, poems and rhymes whilst learning/developing this new skill.

Maths:Each maths lesson begins with counting patterns, songs or rhymes, counting forwards and backwards within a range. Our main focus this week has been time – we have been sequencing events by using pictures and talk. We will re-visit time next term and begin to learn days of the week, months of the year and the names of the seasons.

Understanding of the World/CLL:This week we have been learning about ‘The Little Red Hen’ and finding out her unkind friends. We listened, acted out and sequenced the story.

PD:We have continued to practise our throwing and catching skills. We have also been using the large meccanno to help the development of our big muscles. We enjoyed, turning and twisting the bolts to join the pieces together, making some great creations!

Expressive Art:We painted the characters from this week’s story, and made cone characters to support our re-telling of 'The Little Red Hen'.

Week 5

Week 4:

PHSE:This week we have been thinking about things we are good at and things which we find tricky.

Phonics:This week we have been learning about the sounds at the end of words and thinking about words which rhyme. The children enjoyed playing games sharing stories, poems and rhymes whilst learning/developing this new skill.

Maths:Each maths lesson begins with counting patterns, songs or rhymes, counting forwards and backwards within a range. Children need a strong foundation to build their number knowledge on. Our main focus this week has been counting items and beginning to understand the term ‘altogether’. We enjoyed playing lotto and number games whilst continuing to count accurately.

Understanding of the World:On Thursday we collected and washed apples ready for apple pressing. Please see our Forest School page for this week’s learning:

PD:We have continued to practise our throwing and catching skills. We have also been learning about staying healthy by learning about the importance of hand washing.

Expressive Art:On the 20/10/16 the whole school will take part in our annual harvest celebrations, this week we have painted pictures to accompany our poem which we will perform during the service.

Currently Communication, Language and Literacy is developed throughout all areas of the curriculum.

Week 4

Week 3:

PHSE: This week we have been thinking about why/what makes me special. We have also talked about our class rules and how we can all work happily together indoors and outdoors.

Phonics: Over the coming weeks we will focus on phase 1 phonics which consists of 7 aspects. This week we have been using the percussion instruments to tune into different sounds. We have made gentle, quiet, loud, slow and fast sounds. We have matched sounds and moved to sounds in different ways. Phase 1 phonics maybe covered Pre-Schools/Nursery, it is an excellent place to start at school as it allows children to settle into a fun, action packed adult-led activity. Phonics Play is a great website offering lots of free games. Please click on the link to access http://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/Phase1Menu.htm Please do not rush phase 1, it is important children are able to distinguish the difference between tiny sounds.

Maths: Each maths lesson begins with counting patterns, songs or rhymes, counting forwards and backwards within a range. Children need a strong foundation to build their number knowledge on. Our main focus this week has been 2D shapes (flat shapes). We enjoyed playing lotto and making 2D pictures using the shapes. We have been learning to identify, sort and name circle, square, rectangle and triangle.

PD: This week we have been practise our throwing and catching skills and learning how to make careful patterns using our fine motor skills.

Expressive Art: On the 20/10/16 the whole school will take part in our annual harvest celebrations (more information to follow later). Each year residents form Clifton Hampden and Burcot are invited to join us for lunch. This week we set about making our invitations to invite our guests.

Currently Communication, Language and Literacy is developed throughout all areas of the curriculum.

Week 3

Week 2:

PHSE: This week we have been thinking about our favourite things, food, activities, toys and playing lots of circle games to develop our communication to a new group.

Phonics: Over the coming weeks we will focus on phase 1 phonics which consists of 7 aspects. This week we have been tuning into sound and considering all the different sounds we can hear within our school environment. Whilst phase 1 phonics maybe covered in some Pre-Schools/Nurseries, it is an excellent place to start at school as it allows children to settle into a fun, action packed adult-led activity.

Maths: Our focus this week has been about sorting and group. We have used animals in the water tray, compare bears/counters and threading shapes to sort items into groups depending on the criteria.

PD: This week we have been practise our throwing and catching skills and learning about the features of the body in a cut and stick activity.

Expressive Art: Mrs Small shared a well know song with us (Old MacDonald had a farm – this also supported our phonics), we have drawn and painted, made flags for sandcastles (during child led time) and helped to make the trees for our display in the main entrance.

Currently Communication, Language and Literacy is spread throughout all areas of the curriculum.

Week 2

Our First Week At School

Our first week went by in a blink of an eye and very few tears! We all settled to early morning tasks, joining in with activities and chatting to our new friends as if we had always been part of Clifton Hamden School.

This week the children have been learning some of our key routines which take place everyday: Register, snack time (all children are given a piece of fruit from a selection), lunch time followed by playtime on the main playground, tidy up time, and of course home time. New routines take a great deal of mental focus for the children, but as the week progressed, the children were already able to understand what they needed to do at key times of the day.

This week we have also taken part in other learning: We have been using the herbs to make perfume (continuing to develop our gross motor skills), we have painted pictures (not only showing our creative expression, but helping to continue to develop our fine motor skills which are key to the physical demands of writing), we have used play dough, took part in PE, played maths games using traditional games and the interactive whiteboard (IWB). Have a look at our photographs below.

Our First Week - Week 1

The Reception class are led by Mrs Field and supported by Ms Smith. They continue to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum until the end of this academic year. The curriculum is split into seven areas (an abbreviation for each area is given in brackets): Communication and Language (CL), Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), Physical Development (PD), Literacy (L), Mathematics (M), Understanding of the World (UoW), Expressive Arts & Design (EA).

How do we learn?

Each area has equal weighting and children are given opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in all of these areas through a wide range of activities and play - both adult and child led. Through careful observation and assessment, staff are able to move children on in their learning and to also encourage them to participate in identifying their next steps within their learning.

Show and Tell is important for developing speaking and listening skills. Show & Tell will be under a different format this year, we will start in week 2.

Return Homework Books and Phonics Diary today.

Tuesday

New sounds are sent home today. Please help your child to learn these at home. Please return your child's Phonics Diary on Monday for new sounds to be entered.

Wednesday

PE today - Bring PE kits in on a Monday. We will send kits home on a Friday.

Thursday

Forest School today - please ensure your child brings old, warm clothing to school in a separate bag. We will change after lunch for Forest School.

Homework is set on a Thursday. It is usually English, Mathematic or Topic based. Please return homework on Monday morning.

Friday

Last PE lesson of the week - PE kits will be sent home today.

Everyday

When your child starts learning to read they will bring home a new reading book everyday. Please listen to your child read, then write a comment in their Reading Record (for further guidance see our reading guide and the inside of your child's Reading Record).

For your child to enjoy reading they need to develop a love of reading. Encourage your child to spend some quiet time each day looking at picture books, reading favourite stories, sharing comics etc with a significant adult.

Remember to check the website for updates and follow Clifton Hampden School (CHPS1847) on twitter.

Please click on the link below to view our timetable. Our timetable at times can change depending on the children's interests. During the first 2-3 weeks of term 1, we will spend time getting to know the children and will not follow a full timetable.